A CONTROVERSIAL “managed area” for prostitution is facing mounting criticism from politicians who are calling for it to be scrapped.

The scheme allows sex workers to ply their trade without fear of arrest between 7pm and 7am

The scheme hit the headlines after it was announced that sex workers would be able to ply their trade without fear of arrest between 7pm and 7am in the Holbeck area of Leeds, West Yorks.

However, although complaints from residents have fallen, political pressure is growing on police and council chiefs to get rid of the scheme which was been made permanent last month after a 12-month pilot.

Both Labour MP Hilary Benn and Andrew Carter, the leader of the Tory opposition on Leeds City Council, have called for a review of the scheme amid claims that the area had failed to address the problem.

Mr Benn said there had been a “lack of consultation” about the area and the enforcement of the rules was “simply not happening well enough”.

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Both Labour MP Hilary Benn and Andrew Carter have called for a review of the scheme

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He said: “The area can only work if both the hours and the boundaries are properly enforced and, judging by the complaints I have been receiving from local residents and businesses alike, this is simply not happening well enough at the moment.

“That needs to change if the community is to have confidence in the scheme.

“In addition, proper arrangements need to be put into place by the council to clean up every morning so that people working in local businesses don't have to confront the results of the previous night's activities.”

Mr Carter, the leader of the Tory opposition, agreed with Mr Benn's claims and said that the scheme, which was introduced permanently after a 12 month pilot, was a “mistake”.

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The scheme was launched in the Holbeck area of Leeds

I can't see any way of them making it acceptable

Mr Carter

The councillor added that he also had concerns about incidents of violence, problems with anti-social behaviour and littering and urged civic leaders needed to “cut their losses”.

He said: “I can't see any way of them making it acceptable. If it isn't workable, it isn't workable and it should be scrapped.”

Debate surrounding the safety of women working in the managed area intensified following the murder of 21-year-old Daria Pionko on December 23.

However, fighting back against the accusations, a Safer Leeds spokesman said officials were “listening.”

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Political pressure is growing on police and council chiefs to get rid of the scheme

Made up of police, council and other agencies, the partnership said complaints from residents had fallen and sex workers were more likely to report crimes since the policy was introduced.

A spokesman for Safer Leeds, said: “The whole purpose of this scheme is to reduce a long-standing nuisance over 15 years to businesses and residents in this area.

“Previous enforcement measures to tackle the problem had been unsuccessful, and this is an attempt to reduce the impact on both local residents and businesses, while also increasing support for sex workers to exit this way of life.

“The police and the council will respond to the issues raised by taking all measures, including enforcement, to ensure that the original purpose of the scheme is realised.”